The 73rd Hanoverian Regiment  by Kenton Kilgore
 If you know anything at all about World War I, you’ve at least heard of—if not read or seen movie versions of—All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque’s novel of the war from the German perspective. While Western Front is the better-known book, I prefer Storm of Steel, Ernst Junger’s non-fiction account of his time serving in the trenches. This Themed Army Idea is an attempt to portray Junger’s unit in the Warhammer 40,000 universe; it can be used as a template for other 40K armies inspired by World War I.

Background
The 73rd Hanoverian Regiment has served in some of the bloodiest conflicts in recent history, including the Third War for Armageddon and the 13th Black Crusade. Their current Company Commander, Captain Jungrr, joined the regiment as an ordinary Guardsman and rose through the ranks by his valor, tactical acumen, and the combat deaths of many of the officers above him. Jungrr has been wounded on 14 different occasions and has always swiftly returned to the front lines.

Philosophy
Jungrr has repeatedly requested that he and his men be sent into the most arduous of battlezones, which has resulted in very high casualty rates amongst the Regiment. However, Hanoverian culture glorifies war, loyalty to the Emperor and superior officers, and death in battle, so the 73rd is always eager to face the worst that the enemies of the Imperium have to offer. The Regiment specializes in trench warfare and battling Orks.

HQ 
The 73rd Hanoverian Regiment is always led by Captain Ernst Jungrr, a Company Commander. Other HQ units may be added as desired, except for special characters, Commissars, and Lord Commissars, which are never included in the army. Chimera transports are in short supply in the 73rd, but HQ units may have them.

Elites
The 73rd only uses Storm Troopers; no other Elite units may be taken with the army. Storm Troopers may have Chimera transports.

Troops
Only Infantry Platoons may be used; no special characters, Veteran Squads, Penal Legion troops, or Chimera transports (for Troops) may be taken. 

Fast Attack
Only Rough Rider cavalry units (without Mogul Kamir) may be taken.

Heavy Support
As mentioned, the 73rd Hanoverian Regiment often has a problem procuring mechanized support, so it may bring along up to one Hydra Flak Tank Battery (1-3 vehicles), or up to one Ordnance Battery (of 1-3 vehicles), or one Manticore Rocket Launcher.

Modeling and Painting
The Regiment is best represented by using Armageddon Steel Legion figures in grey uniforms, as they eschew camouflage, considering it cowardly.

General Tactics
Because they have limited Heavy Support, the army would be best served by masses of Infantry Platoons with plenty of Heavy Weapon Teams. Jungrr and his Command Squad should be near the center so that he can issue Orders to a variety of squads.
 

Related Pages
Other Imperial Guard Themed Army Ideas
 

Posted June 2010. Photos copyright 2010 by Games Workshop.
 

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